Beyond 20/20 Debuts New Publishing and Administration Capabilities for WDS

Data disseminators have always valued Beyond 20/20 Web Data Server (WDS) for its ability to quickly publish large quantities of data in a dynamic, easy-to-use setting that meets the needs of a highly varied user population.

With the release of WDS 7.4, new administration and publication features provide greater flexibility for data providers in designating not only who can publish information, but what formats and information types can be included.

Release highlights:

Online Publishing and Administration

This new feature improves the management of publisher and administrator tasks and separates each into its own web-based component. By modularizing tasks over the Web, administrators can make publishing capabilities accessible to multiple users while maintaining control over administrative functions. Greater flexibility is provided since each publisher is able to create, publish and delete reports on their own and no longer need to request these services through the administrator. This feature will particularly benefit organizations with geographically dispersed operations and multiple publisher groups.

Creation and Publication of Blended Reports

Blended reports provide a method for managing and presenting multiple information types - such as charts, tables, and text - within a single report. Publishers define an HTML or XML template and include references to multiple WDS tables and charts as well as supporting text within the template. By separating the display of information from the underlying WDS tables, publishing becomes completely independent of WDS presentation formats.

Data publishers are free to format data in any way they desire and can tailor information delivery to the specific needs of their audience. Information can stand alone or be linked back to WDS tables and charts.

As well, data users no longer need to know anything about choosing dimensions within WDS since its presentation formats are completely transparent. They access data based on the method specified within the template. This can take any form the data provider wishes - drop-down menus, tabs, or pick lists - for example.   This greatly simplifies data manipulation especially for casual users who interpret reports and perform data analysis on an occasional basis.

To gain a deeper appreciation of the capabilities of this powerful feature, click here to view some examples of blended reports.

In addition, WDS 7.4 includes the following enhancements:

Support for Firefox browser

WDS 7.4 supports the use of Mozilla Firefox version 1.0.7 and later.

E-Commerce API

For data providers that employ cost recovery mechanisms, WDS 7.4 can support both subscription-based and data point-based charging models through an e-commerce API.

E-Mail password

This administrator-enabled feature lets end-users access their password if they forget it. When requested, the user's password is sent to the e-mail address listed within their user account facilitating password administration.

Useful links

An optional 'useful links' dropdown list box is available on the top toolbar which allows administrators to bookmark important links for further access.

Searching improvements

Searches are now language specific by default and geography specific within mapping.